Master Locksmiths Association of Australasia Limited upcoming events

2026 John Andrew Apprentice Of The Year ("JAAOTY") (29 Sep 2026)

Mon, 28 Sep 2026 14:00:00 GMT

The John Andrew Apprentice of the Year Award recognises the next generation of talent in the locksmithing industry.

If you're a rising star with recently completed qualifications, this is your chance to demonstrate your skills on a national stage.

Testing dates: 29 – 30 September 2026

Location: Melbourne, VIC

Entries close: 30 June 2026 - so don't miss out!

Images from 2025 testing

Who Can Enter?

To be eligible, you must have completed (or be due to complete) your trade qualifications between 1 July 2025 and 30 June 2026, regardless of your age when you began your apprenticeship.

Please note:

You are not eligible if you have previously applied and participated in JAAOTY testing. This opportunity is only available once.
Applicants must not hold another trade qualification.
You must be currently employed by a financial member of the Master Locksmiths Association of Australasia.

What's Involved?

Shortlisted nominees will be invited to participate in two days of hands-on testing in Melbourne, on Tuesday 29 and Wednesday 30 September 2026.

Participants will be tested across several practical and technical areas, including:

Master keying in a PM8 environment
Mechanical and electronic safe diagnostics
Lock fitting
Picking and impressioning
Automotive key generation and transponder programming

Download the JAAOTY testing overview PDF for a detailed breakdown of each section and scoring.

JAAOTY 2026 - Testing Overview PDF

What Do Finalists Receive?

All finalists will receive:

Up to $1500 to cover flights & accommodation
Full registration to the Annual Trade Expo & Conference which includes a free ticket to the Gala Dinner & Awards Night

The winner and their supervisor will also receive a trip to Europe - a prize that offers incredible industry exposure and career development.

Images from 2025 Gala Dinner & Awards Night - 2025 JAAOTY Winner, Connor McColl

Why Enter?

This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to:

Showcase your skills
Network with industry leaders
Represent the future of the locksmithing profession
Win a trip to Europe

Key Dates

Entries close: 30 June 2026

Testing held in Sydney: 29 – 30 September 2026

Winners announced: Sat, 3 October at the Gala Dinner & Awards Night, Marvel Stadium - Melbourne

Master Locksmiths Trade Test (29 Sep 2026)

Mon, 28 Sep 2026 22:00:00 GMT

Trade Test Outline

The trade test is conducted over two days in various locations subject to the availability of Judges, equipment and facilities.

The Trade Test serves two primary purposes:

To assess the suitability of locksmiths seeking membership of the Master Locksmiths Association of Australasia.
To assess competitors in the John Andrew Apprentice of the Year competition.

What’s involved?

Below is an outline of what’s required to be completed during the Trade Test.

Master Keying

The master keying section will test your skills to apply master keying theory in a PM8 environment. You will need to show you know how to use the software to deal with unusable codes, keying to specified requirements as well as coding a “real world” key system. There will also be questions on master keying terminology.

Please note, this is not a test on data entry.

Safe Diagnostics

Part A – Mechanical
You will be provided with an S & G three-wheel combination lock that has been fitted to a metal stand; however, you will not be provided with the correct combination.

You will be given a change key and the combination that the lock needs to be set to. You need to reset the lock to the combination you have been given. A change-key will be provided.

Part B – Electronic
You will be provided with a Secureram Prologic LO2 electronic safe lock, as well as the programming instructions. You be required to program the lock to the following settings:

2-minute time delay
1 minute opening window
1 x Manager
3 x Users

Lock Fitting

Fit a ROSS electric strike to an aluminium block. The use of an angle grinder or Dremel is permitted, however, no jigs are to be used. The use of the template (supplied) is optional.

Picking & Impressioning

Pick up to ten (10) oval cylinders using manual picks, Pick up to ten (10) oval cylinders using a manual pick gun, a Lishi pick or bumping the cylinder, Impression up to five (5) oval cylinder.

Automotive

Part A – Generation of a Mechanical Key

You will be supplied with a driver’s door lock and one Silca NSN14 key blank. You will be required to pick open the lock and cut a key to work the lock correctly.

Please note, an NSN14 Lishi pick will be provided on the day.

The method for doing this is up to the competitor, however, disassembly is not permitted. A key cutting machine and Instacode will be provided.

Part B – Transponder Programming

You will be supplied with the electronics from a motor vehicle, an unprogrammed transponder key, and a programming device.

You will be required to program the transponder key to the vehicle to enable the start function, with no faults shown.

Exhibitor/Sponsorship Registration - 45th Annual Trade Expo & Conference Melbourne 2026 (01 Oct 2026)

Wed, 30 Sep 2026 14:00:00 GMT

EXHIBITOR REGISTRATION
45th Annual Trade Expo & Conference

*Floorplan being revised to suit booths sold

NB: All booths/sponsorships must strictly be paid for by Tue 31 Mar or your booking will be cancelled and the booths made available for resale.

Download the Exhibitor Manual Here

Pricing

Payment terms:
Payment for booth registrations is required by Tuesday 31 March 2026. Registrations not paid by this date may be cancelled, and the booth released for sale.

Booth Options

Each exhibitor booth will be fully equipped with the essentials for a seamless experience, including:

3x3m Booth

White walls 2.4m high
Hanging Fascia
White sign with black lettering per aisle frontage.
1 x LED arm light installed on top of back wall to illuminate your booth
1 x 4amp power point per exhibitor

6x3m Booth

White walls 2.4m high
Hanging Fascia
White sign with black lettering per aisle frontage.
2 x LED arm light installed on top of back wall to illuminate your booth
1 x 4amp power point per exhibitor

6x9m Booth

White walls 2.4m high
Hanging Fascia
White sign with black lettering per aisle frontage.
6 x LED arm light installed on top of back wall to illuminate your booth
1 x 4amp power point per exhibitor

The following renders show example layouts for 6m x 9m booths. Layouts may vary slightly depending on booth location and configuration.

Booth 25 & 51

Booth 40

Freight and Deliveries

Freight can be delivered to the Service Entry at Marvel Stadium.

For deliveries arriving prior to bump-in day, please complete the Freight Delivery Docket and attach it to all items.

For deliveries arriving on bump-in day, all drivers must complete the Internal Access Form and any required site inductions. To arrange access and complete inductions, please contact playsafe@marvelstadium.com.au prior to arrival.

45th Annual Trade Expo & Conference (01 Oct 2026)

Wed, 30 Sep 2026 14:00:00 GMT

45th Annual Trade Expo & Conference

Located at Marvel Stadium Melbourne, 1-3 October 2026

To find all the details about the venue, sessions, trade expo and what's included – click the link below to take you straight there!

Visit Event Page

Click the Register button below to secure your place.

Refund Policy

2026 SOTY VOTY - Business Awards (03 Oct 2026)

Fri, 02 Oct 2026 14:00:00 GMT

2026 Business Awards

Proudly sponsored by SG Lock & Security

Celebrate excellence in our industry and put your business in the spotlight! The 2026 Business Awards recognise outstanding achievement across the locksmithing sector in Australia and New Zealand.

These prestigious awards are your chance to showcase your work, gain industry recognition, and be rewarded for excellence in design, branding, functionality and presentation.

Award Categories

Over 400 spm

Under 400 sqm

Why Enter?

Win a share of the $20,000 prize pool
Boost your business profile and credibility, and be recognised as a leader in the industry
Both finalists and winners receive certificates and the right to promote their achievement for the next 12 months
All finalists will receive a complimentary ticket to both the Trade Expo and the Gala Dinner & Awards Night
Celebrate your win at the Gala Dinner during the 45th Annual Trade Expo & Conference in Melbourne!

Criteria

Judging criteria documents are available for each category below – please review them before submitting your entry.

Shop of the Year (Under 400 sqm) - Criteria

Shop of the Year (Over 400 sqm) - Criteria

Van of the Year - Criteria Ute of the Year - Criteria

Key Dates

Entries close 31 July, 2026

Winners announced: Saturday 3 October 2026 at the Gala Dinner, Melbourne

2027 Summer Roadshow (09 Feb 2027)

Mon, 08 Feb 2027 13:00:00 GMT

Join us for the Summer Roadshow 2027!

Catch up with locksmiths in your area, hear the latest Association updates, and celebrate the year’s achievements together.

Cost: Free to attend

Check out the dates and locations below

Date & Time	Location
Tue, 9 Feb 2027	Auckland
Thu, 11 Feb 2027	Brisbane
Tue, 16 Feb 2027	Adelaide
Thu, 18 Feb 2027	Perth
Tue, 23 Feb 2027	Sydney
Thu, 25 Feb 2027	Melbourne